BREAKING NEWS: South Carolina Star Joyce Edwards Commits to the University of North Carolina Women’s Basketball Program
In a stunning and unexpected turn of events, Joyce Edwards, one of the most highly coveted high school basketball prospects in the nation, has announced her commitment to the University of North Carolina (UNC) women’s basketball program. The news sent shockwaves throughout the college basketball world, particularly in her home state of South Carolina, where fans had long anticipated that Edwards would continue her career with the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.
Edwards, a 6’2” forward from Camden, South Carolina, is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic and versatile players in the 2025 recruiting class. Known for her elite athleticism, scoring ability, and defensive prowess, Edwards was pursued by nearly every powerhouse program in the country. Many insiders believed she was a near-lock for South Carolina, given her deep ties to the state and the Gamecocks’ national dominance under head coach Dawn Staley.
Instead, Edwards has chosen to forge her own path by committing to UNC, a decision that not only shifts the balance of power in women’s college basketball recruiting, but also signals a potential resurgence for the Tar Heels under head coach Courtney Banghart. With this commitment, UNC adds a cornerstone player who has the potential to elevate the program back into consistent national title contention.
“I want to thank all the coaches who recruited me and believed in my potential,” Edwards said in a statement. “After a lot of thought, prayer, and conversations with my family, I’ve decided that UNC is the place where I can grow both as a player and a person. Coach Banghart has a vision for me that I believe in, and I’m excited to be part of building something special in Chapel Hill.”
Edwards’s commitment is monumental for UNC. In recent years, the Tar Heels have remained competitive in the ACC but have struggled to consistently break into the top tier nationally. The addition of a talent like Edwards—who averages over 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game in high school—instantly raises expectations for the program. Her skill set, which includes a smooth jump shot, elite rim protection, and a high basketball IQ, makes her a matchup nightmare and a likely early impact player at the college level.
For South Carolina, this loss stings. Dawn Staley has built a dynasty in Columbia, winning multiple national championships and producing WNBA talent year after year. Losing a hometown star like Edwards disrupts that narrative, at least momentarily, and creates an intriguing new rivalry dynamic in the region. The next time UNC and South Carolina meet on the hardwood, all eyes will be on Edwards and how she fares against the program she surprised by turning down.
Ultimately, Joyce Edwards’s commitment to UNC marks one of the biggest recruiting shocks in recent women’s basketball memory. It’s a bold move by a bold player—and one that will have lasting implications for the future of both programs. Tar Heel fans have every reason to celebrate tonight, as a new era in Chapel Hill appears to have just begun.
